One of the top reasons people don’t go to the gym is that they don’t have a goal or are discouraged by their goal. The goals you set make a huge difference on your fitness journey. They can be the difference between a healthier, happier lifestyle and the stress of feeling like healthy is impossible.
Not that many people go to the gym or live healthy lives just because that’s their natural bent. If you’re trying to make a change, chances are you have some kind of goal. You want to lose weight, have more energy, etc.
Realistic fitness goals are specific goals for what you want to accomplish. These kinds of goals matter because they:
Goals specific to fitness must be realistic, or they will too easily discourage you or distract you. Some helpful tips for setting realistic fitness goals include:
A general rule of thumb for creating realistic goals is to apply the acronym SMART. Goals should be:
Sticking to these traits will make it easier to set goals you can actually reach.
One big goal can be overwhelming. It’s wise to break goals into short-term and long-term goals. For example, a goal of running a marathon could be split into small goals like:
These smaller “milestone goals” will help you stay on track and motivated.
Realistic goals are measurable. You want to set goals you can track so you are encouraged as you make progress. Plus, if you get off track, having a way to check in on your goals will help you recalculate what to do next.
Moving from goal-setting to making a game plan is easier when your goals are realistic. Write down your SMART goal and then make a plan of action that is measurable and specific. It’s okay to bring your written plan to the gym to help you stay on track!
When you’re ready to start reaching your fitness goals, come to Texas Family Fitness and get your FREE 30-Day VIP Pass.